Saturday, February 20, 2016

I have a strange relationship with the collage stage of these works. I like to work quickly, and yet the collage process is rather slow and methodical. It allows me to deliberate in a way that I don't find annoying. It is akin to laying bricks, or building something out of wood....one piece gets added to another and you can see tangible progress. And this stage also feels very different than the laying on of paint that comes afterward. It's an odd combination that mystifies me a bit......

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

....it was snowing and the juncos hid in the bush after getting their food from the feeder. Acrylic collage painting on heavy archival paper 11 x 15 inches, image size 9.75 x 10.25 inches. The procedure on this one was to simply look out the window, note key compositional, colour, and thematic data, and go right into the work without sketches. Every so often I would get up from my work area, and carefully look at the motif.

I am almost out of Yes paste, which is a big deal because it is without a doubt the best glue I've found for making collage work. It's strong, cleans up easily, goes a long way, is archival, and works great with the papers and panels I'm using. I can't buy any in art stores near me, and had to order it online the last time I purchased. I can't do that at the moment and have to wait for winter to finish because the glue might freeze in transit....the company won't ship until spring. I'll do my best until then!

Saturday, February 6, 2016

One of the reasons I like doing the collages so much is I never know what I'm going to get. I painted this sheet that ended up being used for the sky...... and had it sitting on a pile of paints to dry. I'd look over at it every so often, admiring it, wondering what I could use it for. I always like it when I notice a sheet after I cover it with paint....it's a sign it will be used for something later. Mind you, there are 1000s of painted sheets that might never get used sitting in my piles.......

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Last Light, February 2 (Sold)
The sky was active and exciting as night fell yesterday. It was warm and there was even a 10 second shower at one point.........Acrylic collage painting on Stonehenge paper 9.5 x 12 inches, image size 8.75 x 10.5 inches.

It often surprises me how many changes in light and circumstance happen in the evening. It was super warm and foggy in one place. In 40 minutes we go from spectacular light effects to almost total darkness....

One of my favourite comments from my Facebook page, made about this piece. Thanks Michael C. "Harry, I love your work. I see the world differently for a couple hours after I see one of your paintings. Then, ever so slowly, the visual clutter creeps back in."www.harrystooshinoff.com

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Back Garden, January 31 ...the starkness of winter is strangely soothing. Acrylic collage painting on heavy, archival paper 11 x 15 inches, image size 10 x 11.25 inches. One thing I learned early on, is that every mark you make should be as though it carries an electric charge. Elements may be sacrificed later in the work, but you never know which marks will be kept, so every touch has to be alive.

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About Me

I am an artist and teacher. This site showcases small paintings that are produced on a daily basis. Everything I make gets listed for sale in my Etsy store, and my website, usually on the same day the piece is painted.